Equality and Perspective
The Chancellor of the Galactic Summit on New Entrants sized up the human delegation.
"Your civilization has made great strides. However, Earth still possesses disqualifying economic inequality."
"We're aware of the issue," the UN Secretary-General said. "We have anti-poverty programs in place across the globe."
"What good will that do?" the Chancellor replied.
"I'm sorry?"
"Your species is already equal."
Anxious muttering broke out from the human delegation.
The Chancellor continued. "You should be focusing on improving the lives of the most impoverished in your society. Only then will you gain access to the Galactic Collective."
"What else do you want?" the Secretary-General demanded.
"Why don't you start with the cows?"